















"(Jlu * 


Handbook 

for 

Jewish Women’s Organizations 


COPYRIGHT BY 

The Women’s League of the United Synagogue 
New York City 


1924 







MAY 29 1924 

©C1A792637 

•u* ^ 





FOREWORD 


Through the many requests that reach us for direc¬ 
tions in the organization and conduct of a Sisterhood or 
Women’s Auxiliary, the Women’s League of the United 
Synagogue has been made conscious of an apparently 
wide-spread need for such information. This is espe¬ 
cially the case in smaller communities which do not have 
the guidance of a Rabbi or religious leader. The booklet, 
“Handbook for Jewish Women’s Organizations,” has been 
compiled to fill this want. It contains specific informa¬ 
tion for the organization of new groups, touching on the 
time of meetings, dues, executive council, and other 
general matters common to all Sisterhoods. There are 
suggestions on the various aspects of women’s activity, 
communal, social, and educational with special stress on 
those activities which make for and strengthen the Jew¬ 
ish consciousness. Ten sample programs are included to 
provide the instructive part of the meeting and to serve 
as a suggestive basis for the formation of other programs. 
The suggestions for raising money, cooperation with the 
Synagogue and Hebrew School may open new fields of 
activity. It is earnestly hoped that this booklet will 
facilitate the organization of new groups and prove help¬ 
ful to those already in full swing. 

DEBORAH M. MELAMED, 

Chairman , Education Committee. 


ORGANIZATION 


Membership 

Membership in the organization should be open to 
all who are in sympathy with the ideals and pur¬ 
poses for which the organization is founded. 

Officers and Executive Board 

Each Society usually has a President, Vice-Presi¬ 
dent, Secretary and Treasurer, annually elected by 
the membership. These officers, together with a few 
other members elected by the Society, should con¬ 
stitute the Executive Board, the number of additional 
members to be determined by the size of the Society. 
The Executive Board should meet once a month to 
draw plans for activities to be submitted to the 
members at the regular meeting. 

Representation in Congregation 

The Society should be represented on the Board 
of Trustees of the Congregation or on its School 
Committee, by two or three of its members. 

Dues 

Dues should be paid by the members of the or¬ 
ganization, the amount to be decided at a general 
meeting. S3.00 per annum is the usual rate. 

Time of Meeting 

Meetings may be held twice a month in the after¬ 
noon, one meeting to be devoted to the conduct of 


4 


business and the other to an educational program, 
or once a month in the afternoon or evening, the 
first hour to be devoted to business and the second 
hour to the program. 

GENERAL CONDUCT OF MEETING 

Prayer 

All meetings should open with a prayer or Bible 
reading by a member appointed for the year or 
designated at the previous meeting. A model 
prayer and list of Bible readings appropriate for 
various occasions are included in this booklet, on 
pages 12 and 13. 

{Note .—In addition to the Bible reading and 
Prayer, each meeting may be opened by the reading 
of a selection appropriate to the occasion from Dr. 
J. H. Hertz’s excellent compilation “A Book of 
Jewish Thoughts.”) 

Program 

Programs for special occasions developed in detail 
will be found on pages 14 to 29. These programs 
are intended as suggestive outlines from which others 
may be modelled, as the occasion requires. 

Refreshments 

Each meeting may be followed by light refresh¬ 
ments, provided by the members in rotation, or from 
the funds of the organization. 


5 


SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES 


Educational and Religious 

1. Study groups, open to all, should be organized 
under the Rabbi’s direction, in the following sub¬ 
jects: 

Current Jewish Problems and Events 

Hebrew 

Bible 

Jewish History 

Jewish Prayer Book and Synagogue Service 

Ceremonies and Their Interpretations 

Home Duties of Jewish Women 

Choral Circle for Jewish Melodies. 

2. The Society should aim to establish a library, 
with books of reference, including the Jewish Ency¬ 
clopedia, Graetz’s History, Jewish Publication 
Society Books, Stories of Jewish Life, Jewish maga¬ 
zines and papers. 

3. It is recommended that a member be ap¬ 
pointed to bring in at each meeting a review of new 
books or pamphlets suitable for one’s own library 
or the library of the Synagogue with the price and 
place at which they may be purchased. 

4. The Society should have a Question Box, in 
which the members deposit unsigned, any perplexing 
questions pertaining to Jewish life. The box should 
be opened before each meeting by the Rabbi or 
religious leader who will discriminate and formulate 
replies to be read at the meetings following. 


6 


5. An address by some prominent speaker on a 
topic of Jewish or general interest should form the 
feature of each meeting. A variety of topics are 
suggested in the programmes following. 

6. The Women’s League has a Speaker’s Bureau 
which, when called upon, will be glad to furnish 
speakers for meetings. 

Social 

The following Social Activities are suggested: 

1. Annual Luncheon. The guests might be an 
out-of-town speaker, women in nearby communities 
or representatives of local organizations. A short 
Grace should precede and follow the meal. 

2. Social gatherings celebrating the Festivals, 
especially a Purim Ball. 

3. A Theatre Party or moving picture benefit. 

4. Amateur Dramatic performance. 

5. An Outing or Garden party. 

6. Sukkah Hospitality might be extended on 
different days or evenings to children of the School, 
Orphan Asylum and other public institutions, Young 
People’s League, Young Judea, Council of Jewish 
Women, out-of-town students at local colleges, etc. 

7. Public Seder arranged by the Society for the 
second night of Passover. 

8. A Congregational Dinner in connection with 
the Annual Meeting, the Society to provide paper 
caps for the men. 


7 


9. Women’s League Day. A day set aside when 
the Presidents of the Societies affiliated with the 
Women’s League in the same section of the country 
should meet for conference and comparison of activi¬ 
ties. 

Communal and Civic 

It is urged that the Society lend its support to all 
movements that tend to secure the observance of 
the Sabbath, the Holidays, and the Dietary Laws, 
both privately and at the public functions of Jewish 
communal and philanthropic institutions. It may 
also undertake the following activities: 

1. Establish vacation schools for religious train¬ 
ing at summer resorts. 

2. Make provision for Jewish religious instruction 
for children in Settlement Houses and Reformatories. 

3. Make provision for the observance of the 
Holidays in penal institutions. 

4. Make provision for entertaining and giving 
good cheer to inmates of Jewish hospitals, Homes 
for the Aged, Orphan Asylums. 

5. Assist in Community “Drives.” 

6. Establish Sewing Circles for Palestine and 
local institutions. 

7. Adopt War Orphans. 

8. Establish Clubs for boys and girls, as Boy 
Scouts, Girl Scouts, Young Judeans, League of Jew¬ 
ish Youth, etc. 


8 


SUGGESTIONS FOR LECTURES, PAPERS, DIS¬ 
CUSSIONS AND READINGS 

Not Included in the Specific Programs 

1. Current Jewish Events. 

2. Jewish Women in Public Life—Professional, Politi¬ 

cal, Industrial. 

3. Woman’s Part in the Prevention of Future Wars. 

4. A series on: 

The Jewish National Organizations—Their Pur¬ 
pose and Work. 

Biographies—Jewish Men and Women. 

5. The Position of Woman in the Bible. 

6. The Study of Child Nature. 

7. How Conservative Judaism Can Best Adapt Itself 

to American Conditions. 

8. The Study of Hebrew. 

9. The Need for Developing Higher Jewish Learning. 

10. Various Systems of Jewish Education. 

11. The Home and the Jewish School. 

12. The Drama and the American Jew (the Stage). 

13. The Jew in American Literature. 

14. The Jew and the American Revolution. 

15. The Jewish College Student and Judaism. 

16. Palestine, Our Privilege and Our Responsibility. 

17. Institutional vs. Home Care of Children. 

18. Cooperation with the Jewish Farming Communities 


9 


COOPERATION WITH THE CONGREGATION 


The Services 

1. Cooperation with the Congregation should 
constitute one of the most important duties of the 
organization. All women should be urged to attend 
the religious services at the Synagogue regularly, 
bringing their children, and joining in the singing 
and responses. 

2. It would add much to the interest and ease 
in following a service, if all prayer books used were 
uniform, especially holy day ones. 

3. The Society should cooperate with a committee 
of ushers in securing perfect decorum at the services. 

4. The organization should arrange to decorate 
the altar of the Synagogue Friday nights and Sab¬ 
bath with a vase or basket of fresh flowers. 

5. The Society should assume the responsibility 
of providing the vestments needed in the Synagogue 
and keeping them in good order. 

Suggestions for Raising Funds 

6. Sale after regular meetings, of fancy articles, 
also mezuzas, talesim, kiddush covers, Friday Night 
Stories, and other publications of the Women’s 
League. 

7. Sale of refreshments. (A small fee charged for 
the refreshments served at the end of the meeting.) 

8. Sunshine Fund (Drop a coin in a box every 
sunny day). 

io 


9. Happy Day Fund (members make a contribu¬ 
tion on birthday, wedding anniversary, etc.). 

10. Cake Sale. 

11. Package Party. 

12. Theatre Party. 

13. Dance—Purim Masquerade. 

14. Rummage Sale. 

15. Garden Party or Outing. 

16. Strawberry Festival. 

17. Plays and Minstrel Shows. 

18. Stereopticon and Moving Pictures. 

19. Concerts. 

20. Reading Circles: paid professional reader. 
Course by subscription. 

Gifts to Synagogue 

21. The following are appropriate gifts to the 
Synagogue: 

Pulpit Bible 
Bulletin Board 
Memorial Tablet 
Vestments 

Prayer Books and Bibles 
Silk Talesim 

Supplies for Meeting Room 
Memorial Banners, American and Zionist 
Flags. 

COOPERATION WITH THE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL 

1. Parties for the children should be given at 
Hanukkah, Purim and Simhat Torah, the Society 
providing flags, candy and goodies. 


n 


2. The Society might provide prizes at the 
school’s closing exercises for scholarship and Syna¬ 
gogue attendance. 

3. The members of the Society who have children 
in the School should organize a Mothers’ Club to 
discuss ways and means of cooperating with the 
principal in improving the School. 

4. Mothers should supervise their children’s 
homework and have them recite daily, selected 
prayers in Hebrew and English. 

5. The School Committee of the Society should 
see that the working conditions in the school, its 
light, heat, ventilation, etc., are acceptable. 

6. Every effort should be made to arrange special 
services for the children, on the Holy days. This 
will add to the comfort of the children, make for 
order in the Synagogue, and assure parents that 
children are observing the day in an intelligible, if 
simplified manner. 


SELECTED BIBLE READINGS 


September—Opening Meeting: Leviticus 23, 23-25; 30-43 

29,1 

October—Rosh Ha-Shanah: Leviticus 23, 27-32 


Yom Kippur: 
Sukkot: 


Jonah, Ch. 3 and 4 
Leviticus 23, 39-44 
Genesis 1-2, 3 


November—Thanksgiving: 


Psalm 126 

Deuteronomy, Chap. 8, 6- 


14 


12 


December—Hanukkah: 


January—Palestine Program: 
February—Sabbath Program; 
March—Purim: 

April—Pesah: 


May—Shabuot: 


June—Closing Meeting: 

OPENING PRAYER 


Maccabees I (Apocrypha) 
Chapt. 2, v. 17-22; 1, 
v. 52-60 
Psalm 124 
Isaiah 62, 1-5; 6-9 
Ex. 31, 16-17 
Book of Esther 4, 13-17; 
9, 20-32 

Exodus 12,14-21 (Institu- 
15,1-11 tion of 
13,3-11 the Pass- 
over. 
Song of 
Moses.) 

Book of Ruth, Ch. I, v. 
8-17 

Isaiah 49, 14-21 


Almighty Father, 

We are deeply grateful that Thou hast permitted us 
to assemble here once again in health of body and in 
peace of mind. We thank Thee for all Thy blessings 
which crown our days. Help us to become more worthy 
of them that we may attain to finer and nobler Jewish 
womanhood. 

We have gathered here to carry onward the work 
which we have undertaken in the cause of our beloved 
Synagogue and the community. Grant strength, wis¬ 
dom and patience to the officers and to the members of 
this body that we may work together in unity and friend¬ 
liness. Establish Thou the work of our hands. May 
we grow from strength to strength, and rejoicing in our 
progress, be inspired to greater effort—Amen. 


i3 


SUGGESTED PROGRAMS 
SEPTEMBER—OPENING MEETING 


I. Bible Reading—Psalm 127. 

II. President’s welcome to members, including an 
outline of the work for the year. 

A. Discussion of President’s report. 

III. Appointing of Committees: 

A. Education (to plan the program part of 

of the meeting). 

B. Hebrew School (to cooperate with the Rabbi 

in ways he may specify. 

C. Membership (to secure new members for 

the organization). 

D. Entertainment (to run social affairs, dances, 

theatre parties, dinners, etc.). 

E. Hospitality (to welcome new members and 

to promote sociability). 

F. Social Service (to assume charge of work 

for inmates of institutions, and cooperate 
in civic movements, etc.). 

IV. Appointing of Bible reader for the year. 

V. Appointing of current Jewish events reporter for 
the year. 

VI. Addresses: 

A. The Auxiliary and Its Relation to the Syn¬ 

agogue. 

B. The Auxiliary and Its Relation to the 

Hebrew School. 

C. The Functions of an Auxiliary. 

D. The Auxiliary and the Women’s League. 

VII. Refreshments. 


i4 


OCTOBER—THE HIGH HOLYDAYS 

(Rosh Ha-Shanah and Yom Kippur) 

I. Bible Reading—Leviticus 23; 23-25 (Rosh Ha- 
Shanah) 29; 1. 

Leviticus 23; 27-32 (Yom Kip- 
pur). 

II. Business. 

Unless there is some one else responsible for it, 
the Society should see that the white hangings 
and covers for the Synagogue Ark and read¬ 
ing desk are in good order. 

III. Topics for Discussion, Reading or Address: 

A. The Various Names for Rosh Ha-Shanah 

and Their Meaning. 

B. The Shofar. 

C. Home Ceremonies and Their Symbolism. 

D. The Conception of the Fast as an Atone¬ 

ment. 

E. Judaism and Asceticism. 

F. The Book of Jonah, Its Story and Lesson. 

G. The High Holy Days Compared with the 

Festivals. 

IV. Refreshments. 


References 

The Jewish Encyclopedia under New Year, Rosh Ha- 
Shanah, Shofar, Mahzor, the Day of Atonement, 
Kol Nidre. 

Greenstone—The Jewish Religion. 

Abrahams—Festival Studies, Chapter 5, 8, 20, 14. 
Dembitz—Jewish Services in Synagogue and Home, 
Chapt. 6, 11, 12. 


i5 


SUKKOT 

I. Bible Reading—Leviticus 23; v. 39-43. 

II. Business: 

A. Discussion on decorating the Sukkah and 

providing the refreshments for Kiddush 
and Sukkah gatherings. 

B. Provision for entertaining in the Sukkah 

on different days the children of the 
Hebrew School and their teachers, the 
ladies of the Society to act as hostesses. 

C. Provision for a Sukkot Social and Dance 

for the Young Folks’ Society of the 
Congregation, and college students from 
out-of-town. 

D. Provision for entertaining in the Sukkah 

the children of an orphan home in the 
neighborhood, or inmates of other insti¬ 
tutions. 

III. Short Informal Talk: 

A. The Festival of Sukkot: Its Religious and 

Aesthetic Aspects. 

B. The Lulav and Its Symbolism. 

C. The Symbolism of the Sukkah. 

D. The Book of Ecclesiastes. 

E. Love of Nature as Expressed in Jewish 

Festivals and Ceremonials. 

F. Simhat Torah and Its Significance. 

IV. Refreshments. 

Notes 

1. Every effort should be made to make the Sukkah 
as attractive as possible, and to entertain as many as it 
can accommodate. 


16 


2. Arrange for special children’s services in the Suk- 
kah, with refreshments. 

3. Sukkot greetings in tangible form should be taken 
to the hospitals, orphan homes or to any other institu¬ 
tion in which the Society may be interested. 

4. Every effort should be made at home and at the 
Synagogue to make Simhat Torah a joyous closing of 
the Sukkot season for the children. Arrange a Simhat 
Torah party for them, appointing special women to attend 
to all details. 

References 

The Jewish Encyclopedia. 

Greenstone—The Jewish Religion. 

Dembitz—Jewish Services in Synagogue and Home— 
Chapt. 6. 

Abrahams—Festival Studies. 


NOVEMBER—THANKSGIVING PROGRAM 

I. Bible Reading—Psalm 136, from 1-10. 

II. Business: 

A. Discussion of advisability of organizing 
community Thanksgiving Services to be 
held under the joint auspices of the 
various religious denominations. 

III. Instrumental or Vocal Music. 

IV. Reading of the Proclamation issued annually by 

the President of the United States. 

V. Music—Instrumental or Vocal Selections. 
i7 



VI. Short Talk: 

A. Story of the First Thanksgiving. 

B. Our Duty as American Jews to Participate 

in National Celebrations. 

C. The Jewish Contribution to Early Ameri¬ 

can Institutions—(Oscar Straus). 

D. Participation of Jews in the Early Dis¬ 

coveries and Settlement. 

E. Was Christopher Columbus a Jew? 

VII. Musical Number and Singing of “The Star 

Spangled Banner,” “My Country ’Tis 
of Thee,” etc. 

VIII. Refreshments— (Pumpkin Pie, Tea, etc.). 

Notes 

1. The story of the first Thanksgiving will be found 
in any Encyclopedia or school history of the United 
States. 

2. Decorate the meeting place abundantly with flags, 
bunting, etc. 

3. A few minutes of the program may be devoted to 
the children of the various members who might repro¬ 
duce part of their public school Thanksgiving entertain¬ 
ment. 

References 

Straus—Origin of the Republican Form of Government 
in the United States. 

Kayserling—Christopher Columbus. 

Wiernik—History of the Jews in America. 

Publications of the American Jewish Historical Society. 
Levinger—The New Land. 

18 


DECEMBER—HANUKKAH 

I. Bible Reading—Psalm 124; Apocrypha, I; Mac¬ 
cabees, Chapt. I, 52-60. 

II. Business. 

III. Program for the Afternoon. 

A. Repetition of the Sunday School Hanukkah 

entertainment or selected numbers. 

B. Short Talk on: 

1. The Story of Hanukkah: a brief out¬ 

line of the events that led to the 
celebration. 

2. What Hanukkah should mean to the 

Jewish people today: 

a. A rededication of Israel to the 

upbuilding of Jewish life 
and the establishment of 
Jewish ideals. 

b. A rededication of the people 

to the upbuilding of their 
ancestral home, Palestine. 

IV. Musical Numbers. 

V. Kindling of the Hanukkah Lights. This privilege 
may be accorded the Rabbi, a member of 
the Society or a child of the school. 

VI. Singing of the Mo’oz Tzur in Hebrew or in English 
and also the Hatikvoh. 

VII. Refreshments. 


Notes 

1. Decorate the meeting room with American and 
Zionist flags. 


19 


2. Make the children proud of their holiday and 
happy in their participation. Make the week one of 
home celebrations. Encourage the children to light 
their own individual menorahs, which may be secured 
through our office at a nominal price. 

3. Copies of the Hanukkah song in Hebrew and 
English with transliteration can be obtained from our 
office. 

4. Cards containing the Hanukkah blessings in Hebrew 
and in English with two stanzas of the Mo’oz Tzur may 
be secured at our office. 

5. Encourage especially the exchange of gifts at this 
season. Hanukkah parties by the children and for the 
children are very much in order. 


JANUARY—PALESTINE PROGRAM 

I. Bible Reading—Psalm 126. 

II. Business Meeting. 

III. Introduction of Speaker or Reader and Subject. 
State what aspect of Palestinian life the pro¬ 
gram will cover. 

A. The Jewish Arbor Day—Chamisho Osor 

B’Shevat. 

a. Origin of the Day. 

b. Observance in the Past. 

c. Significance at Present. 

B. Woman’s Work in Palestine. The Hadas- 

sah Movement: Its Origin, Growth, 
Work, Needs. 


20 



C. Are Jews Capable of Self-Government? 

D. The Prophetic Ideal of the Jewish Home¬ 

land. 

E. The Life of Herzl. 

F. The Colonization of Palestine. 

G. The Bezalel School—New Art in Palestine. 

H. The Revival of Hebrew as the Spoken Lan¬ 

guage in Palestine. 

I. Zionism and Judaism. 

J. Palestine and the World War. 

K. Recent Jewish Progress in Palestine. 

L. The Jewish Love of Nature as Shown in 

the Bible and Festivals. 

IV. Discussion. This gives an opportunity to ask 
questions and clear up points not understood. 

V. Singing of the Hatikvoh. 

Copies of the Hatikvoh, with music, English, 
Hebrew and transliteration can be secured at 
our office. 

Notes 

1. Try to secure a Zionist flag with which to drape 
table or to hang on the wall. 

2. Any blue and white decorations in the meeting 
room would be appropriate. 

3. The following references will be found helpful in 
the preparation of an address or a reading. They may 
be secured from the Zionist Organization: 

Past and Present—I. Friedlaender. 

Economic Possibilities in Palestine—Nellie Strauss. 
The Jewish Colonization in Palestine—Tolkowsky. 


Recent Jewish Progress in Palestine—Henrietta Szold. 
The Jewish National Fund. 

The Herzl Forest. 

4. There is a large amount of literature on Palestine 
in all its aspects, which the Women’s League will be glad 
to send free or at a nominal cost, upon request. 

5. Each Society should be encouraged to buy some 
trees in the Herzl Forest, which will bear its name or 
the name of any person or cause it desires to honor. It 
is a happy custom to send money for the planting of a 
tree in the Herzl Forest on the occasion of any joyous 
event. 

References 

The Jewish Encyclopedia—Look under any topic that 
you wish to discuss. 

The Herzl Forest; The Tree Fund. 

Jewish Colonization in Palestine—J. Ettinger. 
Cooperative Colonization in Palestine—Oppenheimer. 
Land Tenure in Palestine—Oppenheim. 


FEBRUARY—SABBATH OBSERVANCE 

I. Bible Reading—Genesis 2, 1-3. 

II. Business. 

III. Short Talk or Paper on one of the following: 

A. The Importance of the Sabbath for the 

Maintenance of Jewish Life Today. 

B. The Jewish Manner of Observing the Sab¬ 

bath. 

C. The Sabbath in Jewish History and Liter¬ 

ature. 


22 



D. Economic Conditions and Sabbath Observ¬ 

ance. 

E. Societies for Sabbath Observance: Their 

Aim and Work. 

F. The Jewish Woman and the Sabbath: Syn¬ 

agogue Attendance. 

IV. Formulation of some resolution not to plan or 
participate in any activity, which violates the 
Sabbath. 

V. Discussion and acceptance of such resolution by 
Society as a whole and individually. 

VI. Musical Numbers and Refreshments. 

References 

Jewish Encyclopedia, under Sabbath. 

Hertz—A Book of Jewish Thoughts. 

Raskin—Poems. 

Greenstone—The Jewish Religion. 

Joseph—Judaism as Creed and Life. 

Berkowitz—Sabbath Sentiment. 


MARCH—PURIM 

I. Bible Reading—Esther, Chapt. 9; 20-32. 

II. Business. 

1. Unless some one else is definitely in charge 

of the matter, the Society should assume 
the responsibility of providing small 
copies of the Megillah in Hebrew and 
English so that everyone that comes to 
the Synagogue may be supplied. 

2. Provide for some Purim gift, as candy, etc., 

for the Sunday or Hebrew School, 


23 



3. Arrange a Purim Reception for students at 

local colleges, etc., in the hall of the 
Synagogue. 

4. Discuss the advisability of organizing and 

supervising a Purim Masquerade for the 
children, providing games, refreshments 
and prizes. 

III. Reading of selected extracts from “Esther” to 
give account of Purim story: 

A. Ch. I, v. 1-22; Ch. II, v. 1-11, 16-23; 

Ch. Ill, v. 1-13; Ch. IV, v. 1-17; Ch. 
V, v. 1-8; Ch. VI, v. 1-12; Ch. VII, 
v. 1-7; Ch. VIII, v. 3-8; 11, 15-27; 
Ch. IX, v. 20-32; Ch. X, v. 1-3. 

B. Short Talk on Purim Customs: Fast of 

Esther, Masquerade, Megillah, Shalah 
Monot, Synagogue Collections, Shushan 
Purim, etc. 

C. The Woman as a Factor in Jewish Life 

Today. 

D. The Position of Woman in the Bible. 

E. Special Purims in Jewish History, observed 

in certain communities on other days of 
the year. 

IV. Part of the entertainment the Hebrew School 
children are preparing for the Purim celebra¬ 
tion might be produced. 

V. Singing of Purim songs, etc., and Refreshments. 

Notes 

1. It is desirable that perfect silence be maintained 
during the reading of the Megillah. 


24 


2. If it is the custom of the Synagogue to allow col¬ 
lections for the poor on Megillah evening, provide small 
baskets or other attractive receptacles. 

3. The regular meeting may be dispensed with and a 
Purim masquerade, a Purim reception, a Purim theatre 
party, a dance, or other large social function take its 
place. 

References 

Jewish Life in the Middle Ages—Israel Abrahams. 

Jews in Many Lands—Adler. 

Services in Synagogue and Home—Dembitz. 

Jewish Encyclopedia. 

The Jewish Woman—Nahida Remy. 

Parody in Jewish Literature—Israel Davidson. 


APRIL—PESAH 

I. Bible Reading—Exodus, Chapt. 13, v. 3-11. 

II. Business: 

A. Arrangement for the accommodation of 

strangers, college students and others at 
private homes for the Seder nights. 

B. Arrangement for supplying the local insti¬ 

tutions with food, Mazoth, Passover 
gifts, etc., for the Holiday. 

III. Informal talk or address on one of the following: 

A. Seder Ceremonies and their Significance. 

B. The Haggadah: Its Songs, Contents and 

Purpose. 

C. The Children and the Seder. 

D. Passover Laws and Regulations. 

E. The Song of Songs: Its Meaning. 


25 



F. Passover Customs and Their Meaning: 
Searching for Leaven, Cup of Elijah, 
Interpretation of the Seder Song “Had 
Gadya,” Counting of the Omer. 

IV. Refreshments. 

Notes 

1. Review the Passover melodies at a congregational 
or auxiliary meeting. Learn some of the English trans¬ 
lations. 

2. No Seder Table should be without its guest. 

3. There should be a Haggadah, with English trans¬ 
lation for every member of the Seder Party. 

4. The children should take part in the reading of the 
Haggadah. 

5. It is wise to present a generous gift for a fine reci¬ 
tation of the four questions or the “stealing” of the Afiko- 
mon. 

6. At this meeting, it is advisable to have a demon¬ 
stration table, perfectly set for Seder, so that it may be 
seen by all who may have any doubts as to the proper 
procedure. 

7. Children should be encouraged to practice playing 
and singing the Passover melodies. 

References 

Abrahams—Festival Studies, Chapt. 1, 7, 8, 15, 23. 
Jewish Encyclopedia—Passover, Seder, Haggadah. 
Greenstone—The Jewish Religion. 

Dembitz—Jewish Services in Synagogue and Home, 
Chapt. 5. 


26 


Jewish Life in Middle Ages—Index under Passover. 

Wm. Rosenau—Jewish Ceremonial Institutions. 

Isaacs—Ceremonies and Customs of Jews. 

Joseph, Morris—Judaism as Creed and Life, Book II, 
Ceremonial Customs. 


MAY—SHABUOTH 

I. Bible Reading—Book of Ruth, Chapt. I, v. 8-17. 

II. Business: 

A. Appointment of Committee for decorating 

the Synagogue with palms and flowers 
for the Festival. 

B. Appointment of Committee to assist in 

preparations for confirmation or gradu¬ 
ation by coaching, organization of ushers, 
providing flowers and ribbons, etc. 

C. Organization of Committee to Plan Recep¬ 

tion for Graduates and Confirmants. 

D. Instruction to secretary to send invitations 

for services and graduation exercises to 
students in local colleges. 

(Upon request, the Education Committee 
of the Women’s League will send a detailed 
program for those congregations where an 
elaborate graduation takes the place of 
regular confirmation.) 

III. Address, Short Paper, Informal Talk by one of 

the members or invited speakers: 

A. The Five Scrolls—with special attention to 

the Book of Ruth, its story, significance. 

B. The Attitude of Judaism Toward Making 

Converts by Missionary Work. 


27 



C. The Three Harvest Festivals and Their 

Historical Aspects. 

D. The Ten Commandments as the Basis of 

Moral Laws. 

IV. Musical Numbers and Refreshments. 

Notes 

Plays, tableaux and all material necessary for the 
school celebrations can be secured by applying to the 
office of the Women’s League. 

References 

The Jewish Encyclopedia under Shabuot, the Scrolls, 
Ruth, Penecost. 

Greenstone—The Jewish Religion. 

Abrahams—Festival Studies, page 84. 

Hochman—Temple Festivities. 


JUNE—CLOSING MEETING 

I. Bible Reading—Isaiah 49; 14-21. 

II. President’s Report: 

A. Summary of year’s work: 

1. Relations with Hebrew and Sunday 

Schools. 

2. Educational Activities. 

3. Social Activities. 

4. Local Philanthropy. 

5. Religious Work with the Community. 

6. Miscellaneous. 

III. Expression of appreciation to officers who have 
carried on the year’s work. 


28 



IV. Musical Selections. 

V. Short Talk on: 

A. How to Continue the Children’s Religious 

Training at Summer Resorts. 

B. Dangers of Religious Indifference During 

Summer. 

VI. Music and Refreshments. 


MODEL CONSTITUTION 
ARTICLE I 
Name and Object 

Section 1 . This Organization shall be known as...___ 

Section 2. The object of this Organization shall be to strengthen 
Traditional Judaism: 

a. By furthering the spiritual, material and social interests of 

Congregation..... 

b. By advancing Jewish education among its members. 

c. By strengthening the Jewish institutions of the home. 

d. By generally strengthening the religious life of the local 

Jewish community. 

ARTICLE II 
Affiliation 

Section 1 . This Organization shall be affiliated with the Wo¬ 
men’s League of the United Synagogue of America. 

ARTICLE III 
Membership 

Section 1 . Membership in this Organization shall be open to 
such women as are in agreement with the above-stated object. 

ARTICLE IV 

Meetings 

Section 1 . Meetings of all the members shall be held once a 
month. 


29 





Section 2. Meetings of the Executive Committee and Standing 
Committees shall take place once a month. 

Section 3. The Annual Meeting for election of officers, present¬ 
ing yearly reports and other business, shall be held on. 

ARTICLE V 
Dues 

Section 1. Every member shall pay minimum annual dues of 


ARTICLE VI 
Officers 

Section 1. The officers of this Organization shall consist of a 
president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, elected at the 
annual meeting, to serve for one year and to perform all the duties 
pertaining to their respective offices. A Nominating Committee 
shall be appointed at the regular meeting, which shall report at 
the meeting previous to the annual meeting. 

Section 2. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers 
and.additional members, to be elected by the Organi¬ 

zation at the annual meeting. The Executive Committee shall 
administer the affairs of this Organization between meetings of the 
society. The president of the Organization shall act as chairman 
of the Executive Committee. 

Section 3. Three members of the Society, one of which shall 
be the President, shall be elected to represent the Society on the 
Board of the Congregation. 

ARTICLE VII 
Committees 

Section 1. The President shall be authorized to appoint the 
following standing committees: 

a. Committee on Education. 

This Committee shall arrange the educational programs for 
the Society’s meetings, and for the study circles. 

b. Committee on Cooperation with the Religious School. 

This Committee shall interest itself in the work of the 
School, help to increase the attendance, and cooperate in 
arranging for Festival celebrations for the children. 


30 






c. Committee on Religious Observance. 

This Committee shall provide prayer books and Bibles in 
the Synagogue, encourage Sabbath Observance and attend¬ 
ance at Services. It shall also interest itself in strengthening 
religious observance in the home and together with the Com¬ 
mittee on Cooperation, use its influence in upholding the 
religious life in Jewish, philanthropic, and educational insti¬ 
tutions. 

d. Committee on Social Activities. 

This Committee shall arrange all social functions for the 
Society, especially on the Festivals. 

e. Committee on Membership. 

This Committee shall make every effort to interest Jewish 
women in the Society and secure their affiliation with it. 

f. Committee on Social Service. 

This Committee shall have charge of the philanthropic 
activities of the Society. 

g. Committee on Cooperation. 

This Committee shall investigate all requests for coopera¬ 
tion on the part of non-congregational institutions. It shall 
report on the same to the Executive Board of the Organiza¬ 
tion, and shall be the medium through which the Organization 
may cooperate with those institutions whose applications 
have been favorably voted on by the Board. 

h. House Committee. 

This Committee shall attend to the purchase of supplies 
and furnishings and to the general care of the building. 

Section 2. The President may, from time to time, appoint such 
additional committees as may be deemed necessary by the Execu¬ 
tive Board. 


ARTICLE VIII 


Quorum 

Section 1. A quorum shall consist of.members at any 

meeting of the Organization. 

Section 2 ...members of the Executive Committee shall 

constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meet¬ 
ings of that Committee. 


3i 




ARTICLE IX 
Amendments 

Section 1. This Constitution may be amended at any annual 
meeting by a two-thirds vote of the members present. Such 
proposed amendment must be presented at the previous meeting 
of the Society or Executive Committee, due notice thereof being 
given to the members in writing. 

PUBLICATIONS OF THE WOMEN’S LEAGUE 

Sabbath Blessing Cards—containing the blessing to be said when 
lighting the Sabbath Lights. 

Hanukkah Blessing Cards—containing the blessing to be said when 
lighting the Hanukkah Lights. Also the Mo-oz T’zur Ye- 
shu-o-si. 

Children’s Prayer Cards—containing prayers for little children in 
simple rhyme. 

United Synagogue Recorder—containing special departments for 
women and children. 

Friday Night Stories from the Talmud—charmingly told in simple 
English for little children. 

Jewish Holiday Booklets—describing and explaining the meaning 
of the Holidays. 

Lists of books on Jewish topics for home reading. 

PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE 

The Bible Story, Part I—a text-book of Biblical history for children 
between the ages of eight and ten, from Creation to the Death 
of Moses. 

The Bible Story, Part II—continues the story from the Death of 
Moses to the Establishment of the Second Commonwealth. 
Manual for Teaching Biblical History—presents the traditional 
interpretation of the salient portions of the Five Books of 
Moses. 

Curriculum for the Jewish Religious School—providing for four 
distinct courses of study to correspond to the different kinds 
of schools at present in operation. 


32 


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